There are many opportunities to make a difference working with juveniles or in support of the juvenile department operations. These include a committment of a few hours, one or more days, a school semester, completion of a project, or years of involvement. Youth under supervision of the juvenile department need support to increase their skills and competencies in leading a productive, healthy, educated, planful, sober and employable lifestyle

We need both individuals to support english speaking youth and those who are bi-lingual, mono-lingual and bi-cultural.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at 503-588-5219. Additional volunteer opportunites are available through: givebacktoday.org

All volunteers are required to pass a criminal history background check.

The Juvenile Department has benefited from having Master of Social Work graduate student interns volunteering during their academic year in Counseling Services, for two days a week each. Services provided have included individual and family counseling, facilitating skill-building groups for teens, and parenting classes. Those served were youth and families involved with the Juvenile Department who had limited counseling resources and were able to benefit by receiving counseling related services through the Department. Graduate student interns allow expansion of counseling services provided to Department clients.

Adult hikers volunteered to help take youths from the Juvenile Department on day hikes on trails in the Cascade and Coast mountain ranges. During the year, the volunteers assisted staff with six different hikes. Volunteers help plan where the hike will take place and then hike alongside the youths offering encouragement and companionship while participating. For many of the youths this is a first-ever hike.

In turn, the Juvenile Department sends volunteers into the community. GAP has an active youth volunteer component in the unit. The opportunity to volunteer is earned by the youth. It is not a requirement. Juvenile Department youth have given their services to:

OakCrest Rehabilitation Center

AgFest - An agricultural fair

Marion County Fair

Paintback - graffiti paintover

Earth Day activities

Union Gospel Mission

Salem Police Department - Anti-graffiti campaign

Salem Bike Lanes

Adopt-a-highway

Food Bank

Silverton Food Bank

Youth feel positive and connected to their community when they can give of themselves and their time. As research has shown, attachment to the community is a protective factor against future criminality. Rewards seen by youth volunteers include:

"Satisfaction and work experience for the future" - Ruby

"People always tell me that I’m doing a great job and I’m working hard". - Valerie

"... seeing the looks on people’s faces when we delivered wood and other things." - Sam

We hope this is an attitude they will carry with them after they leave department supervision.